Navigating Hybrid Team Dynamics as a Remote Employee
The good news: you've been given the green light to continue working remotely, even as some of your colleagues return to the office. As companies adapt to new norms, "hybrid work" is becoming a popular term, but what exactly does it mean? And what does it mean for communication and collaboration in your team?
A hybrid work model blends in-office and remote work in various configurations. Some of these are very rigid, others are flexible. Some are set at a corporate level, while others are down to the discretion of individual managers and what works best in their team. Here are a few common setups:
Split Week or Month: Employees divide their time between remote work and being in a central location.
Activity-Based Work: Employees come together in person when collaboration or specific facilities are needed.
Permanent Split: Some employees are always office-based, while others work remotely full-time, which may also depend on their seniority or specific roles.
While these setups offer varying degrees of flexibility, they also come with potential challenges. Employees who work remotely can miss out on opportunities for networking and influence, as they are less visible to decision-makers. This can inadvertently create a divide, similar to the informal networks that once existed in exclusive clubs or executive spaces. In hybrid environments, those who are physically present may gain an advantage due to unconscious biases that favour immediate availability and proximity.
Strategies for Thriving in a Hybrid Work Model
If you are a remote employee in a hybrid setup, there are steps you can take to level the playing field and ensure your career continues to grow:
Enhance Your Online Presence
Make sure your professional profiles across all work platforms are up-to-date and engaging. Use a clear, professional photo, and provide comprehensive contact information. Complete your profile information, and stay visible and active in online conversations within your organisation. This simple act can increase your visibility in digital directories and communications.
For video meetings, invest in good lighting and a stable internet connection to ensure your presence is noticeable, and a good mic to make sure your voice is heard.
Advocate for Digital-First Communication
Arguably, as soon as one person is not colocated, you are working in a remote team - and that should be the way all communication is structured. Promote open, digital-first communication practices in your organisation. Share important information in public channels rather than private emails, and actively involve colleagues by tagging them in relevant conversations. This transparency fosters trust and ensures that remote employees remain included in key discussions.
It’s also good practice to encourage individual participation in meetings - one laptop/webcam/mic per person, rather than the in-crowd together in a conference room, and remote folks stuck on screens on the wall. If you are all participating individually this avoids a two-tier experience, where those in the room get the benefit of muttered asides, pre-meeting-meetings, and body language - all of which excludes and discriminates against the off-site colleagues.
Leverage Digital Tools to Connect
Use digital communication tools to reach out directly to decision-makers or senior leaders. Unlike in an office setting, where hierarchy may restrict access, online platforms allow you to bypass intermediaries and share your ideas directly with those at the top. So take advantage of the potential to tag or DM the right people when appropriate, because you no longer have to physically get past their scary assistant who played the traditional gate-keeping role.
Communicate Proactively and Regularly
Regular communication is key to staying visible. Share your priorities at the start of the day, provide updates throughout, and close the day with a summary of your activities. Ask about things going on that you might not be looped into, to encourage this kind of sharing. This level of communication reassures your colleagues of your commitment and keeps you connected to the team’s pulse.
Depending on how remote-first your collaboration tools and workflow are, show up consistently and actively there too. You don’t need to announce in the Teams thread that you’ve read the document, if you have commented and updated it. Keep status indicators like project management tools up to date, so you’re constantly visible and active in shared activities.
Note: I am not recommending some kind of deceptive digital presenteeism here! No one will care if you have updates pinging in late at night, or lock out documents for ages to try and impress people. Be authentically visible because you’re doing the work, that’s what will keep you active in mind.
Build Strong Relationships
Take the time to build meaningful connections with your colleagues. Use small talk or casual conversations at the start or end of meetings to build rapport. Share a bit about yourself, and encourage others to do the same. No need to overshare, but just try to humanise your professional profile appropriately and in context. Tools like Slack's Donut can also be used to set up random coffee chats, or schedule virtual meetups to strengthen team bonds.
Tips for Fostering Remote Relationships
Start meetings with a few minutes of casual conversation.
Ask questions, show appreciative curiosity about your colleagues. How was the weekend?
Share something personal or light-hearted to break the ice. You can do this in and around the work itself, it doesn’t require a separate meeting
Use apps that facilitate random pairings for informal chats, and even plan virtual coffee breaks with no agenda other than to connect.
Awareness of potential biases in hybrid work setups, combined with intentional actions, can help you advance your career while maintaining the flexibility to work remotely. By fostering open communication, enhancing visibility, and building strong relationships, you will support your own career growth and contribute positively to your team. Remember, effective change does not always come from formal leadership roles; anyone can influence a more inclusive and balanced workplace.
By making small, deliberate efforts to counteract the challenges of a hybrid model, you can enjoy the benefits of remote work without sacrificing career progression. After all, while your colleagues are dealing with daily commutes, you're using that time to focus on what truly matters.